JP2008227031A - Waterproof structure for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure the reliability of a waterproof function in a bent portion of a gasket 3. <P>SOLUTION: The waterproof structure is formed in such a way that: a gasket holding groove 11 is circumferencially provided on the external circumference of one of a first case member 1 and a second case member 2 constituting an armoring case; and a gasket 3 made of a rubber elastic member is closely attached on the other of the first case 1 and the second case 2 and a bottom surface 11a of the gasket holding groove 11. An engaging protrusion 12 is formed on the gasket holding groove 11 or its neighboring position, the gasket 3 has an engaged groove 33 for retaining the gasket 3 in an extension shape following the gasket holding groove 11 by being fitted in and engaged with the engaging protrusion 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof structure for electronic devices such as small portable terminal devices.

  In recent years, mobile phones, which are small mobile terminal devices, have not only a call function, web mail transmission / reception, and communication functions such as the Internet, but also a music / image recording / playback function, a game function, a GPS navigation function, and an electronic money function. Multi-functionalization is progressing rapidly. Therefore, if it is not waterproofed properly, it may break down due to intrusion of water or water vapor and cause serious damage when it is dropped into water or wet by rain.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing the arrangement of a waterproof gasket for a mobile phone, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a waterproof structure according to the prior art, and FIG. 8 is a state before mounting the waterproof structure according to the prior art. It is a cross-sectional perspective view shown.

  First, in the mobile phone 100 shown in FIG. 6, a lower unit 101 on which a large number of input keys are arranged and an upper unit 102 having a liquid crystal display are connected to each other via a hinge (not shown) so as to be foldable. Reference numeral 103 denotes a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that connects the circuit board in the lower unit 101 and the circuit board in the upper unit 102. In both the lower unit 101 and the upper unit 102, an outer shell case 200 that houses an electronic circuit or the like is composed of a case main body and a front panel on the front side thereof. Waterproofing is achieved by interposing the gasket 300.

  The gasket 300 is made of a rubber-like elastic material. As shown in FIG. 7, the gasket 300 has a mountain-shaped main seal portion 301 and a plurality of seating seal portions 302 on the opposite side. Is held in a gasket holding groove 202 formed along the outer periphery of one case member (for example, a case main body) 201, and in the assembled state of the outer shell case 200, the main seal portion 301 is connected to the other not shown. In addition, the seating seal portion 302 is seated in close contact with the bottom surface of the gasket holding groove 202 to exhibit a sealing function against external dust, water, and the like. .

In addition, as a technique for waterproofing a case division part of a communication device or the like using a gasket having a modified cross section as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the following patent document is known.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-184880

  Here, the mating surface of the case main body and the front panel of the outer shell case 200 is not formed along a simple plane, but has complicated undulations due to the presence of the USB connector portion and the charging connector portion on the outer peripheral surface. Since it has a shape, the gasket 300 interposed on the mating surface of the case main body and the front panel is also bent in the XY direction as indicated by A in FIG. 7 and also in the Z direction as indicated by B and C. Also stretched up and down. However, when the gasket 300 is molded into such a complicated shape in the three-dimensional direction, the molding die becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased. As shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 300 is formed into a shape that bends and extends only in the two-dimensional direction (XY direction), and is forcibly deformed in the Z direction between the mating surfaces of the outer shell case 200 and the front panel. It is inserted in the state of letting.

  However, in this case, in the gasket 300 made of a rubber-like elastic material, the forcibly deformed portion in the Z direction (the B portion and the C portion in FIG. 7) has a gasket holding groove 202 in one case member 201 due to a restoring force against deformation. This causes a problem that it is difficult to ensure excellent waterproofness because the bottom surface of the cover or the other case member (not shown) is lifted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a technical problem thereof is to ensure the reliability of the waterproof function at the bent portion of the gasket.

  As means for effectively solving the technical problem described above, the waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the invention of claim 1 is one of a first case member and a second case member constituting an outer shell case of the electronic device. In a waterproof structure in which a gasket holding groove is provided around the outer periphery of the gasket, and a gasket made of a rubber-like elastic material is in close contact with the other of the first case member and the second case member and the bottom surface of the gasket holding groove. A latching ridge is formed in the gasket holding groove or its adjacent position, and the gasket is closely engaged with the gasket holding groove by being fitted into the gasket and locked to the gasket holding groove. A stop groove is formed.

  When assembling the outer shell case, the gasket is attached to the gasket holding groove of the first case member or the second case member. In the mounting operation, the locked groove formed in the gasket is inserted into the gasket holding groove or the gasket holding groove. The gasket is constrained in close contact with the gasket holding groove by being fitted and locked to the locking protrusion formed at the adjacent position. For this reason, even when a gasket extending in a two-dimensional direction is attached to a gasket holding groove extending in a three-dimensional direction in a forcibly deformed state, the gasket is constrained to a shape following the gasket holding groove, and the forced deformation portion of the gasket is Return due to elastic restoring force is suppressed.

  Further, in the waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the invention of claim 2, in the configuration of claim 1, the restraint by the locking protrusion and the locked groove is performed only at the bent position in the circumferential direction of the gasket holding groove. It is what is said. This also effectively prevents the gasket from being lifted at the bent position.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the locking ridge is formed with a plurality of portions having a low protruding height at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. The locking groove is formed so as to correspond to the portion having the low protruding height.

  According to the waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the present invention, even when the gasket extending in the two-dimensional direction is attached to the gasket holding groove extending in the three-dimensional direction in a forcibly deformed state, the first due to the restoring force of the gasket. Lifting from the case member or the second case member is effectively prevented, and excellent waterproof properties can be secured.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a waterproof structure for an electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first form of a waterproof structure of an electronic device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the first form in a state before mounting a gasket, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the first embodiment with a gasket attached. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a first case member, reference numeral 2 is a second case member, and the mobile phone shown in FIG. An outer shell case of the lower unit or the upper unit 102 is configured.

  A gasket holding groove 11 is formed along the outer periphery of the surface of the first case member 1 facing the second case member 2, and the gasket holding groove 11 has a bottom surface 11 a and a second case member 2. The gasket 3 that exhibits a sealing function against external dust, water, and the like is held by being appropriately compressed between the two.

  The opposing surface of the outer peripheral part in the 1st case member 1 and the 2nd case member 2 is formed in the uneven | corrugated shape of a three-dimensional direction, Therefore, the gasket holding groove 11 formed in the 1st case member 1 is also FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the film extends while bending in a three-dimensional direction, that is, has a bent portion A in the XY direction and bent portions B and C in the Z direction. Further, on one side in the width direction of the gasket holding groove 11, a locking protrusion 12 rising from the bottom surface 11 a and lower than the groove shoulder 11 b on the other side in the width direction of the gasket holding groove 11 is parallel to the gasket holding groove 11. It is extended and formed.

  The gasket 3 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material, and as shown in FIG. 2, extends in an endless manner while being bent only in the XY direction, and the length in the circumferential direction is the gasket holding groove 11. And a bent portion 3A in the XY direction corresponding to the bent portion A in the gasket holding groove 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket 3 has a main seal portion 31 having a mountain-shaped cross section that protrudes outward from the gasket holding groove 11 and is in close contact with the second case member 2, and faces away from the main seal portion 31. 11 is formed by a pair of inner and outer peripheral seating seal portions 32 having an arcuate cross section seated on the bottom surface 11a of the outer periphery 11 and a hook-shaped protrusion 34 projecting on one side surface. And a locked groove 33 that can be closely fitted to the strip 12 in a close state. Then, by engaging the locked groove 33 (the hook-shaped ridge 34) with the locking ridge 12 and locking the gasket 3, the seating seal portion 32 closely contacts the bottom surface 11 a of the gasket holding groove 11. It is to be restrained in the state.

  That is, according to the waterproof structure having the above-described configuration, when the gasket 3 is attached to the gasket holding groove 11 of the first case member 1 in assembling the outer shell case, the locked groove formed in the gasket 3 is used. 33 is fitted and locked so as to be pushed into a locking protrusion 12 formed on one side of the gasket holding groove 11, thereby being restrained to be accommodated in the gasket holding groove 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 3 that extends only in the two-dimensional direction of XY follows the bent shape at the Z-direction bent portions B and C of the gasket holding groove 11. 3, the bent shape of the deformed bent portions 3 </ b> B and 3 </ b> C is held by fitting between the locking protrusion 12 and the locked groove 33.

  For this reason, in the gasket 3, the return due to the elastic restoring force of the forced deformation portion at the Z-direction bent portions B and C of the gasket holding groove 11 is suppressed, and the main seal portion 31 is shown in FIG. It is possible to effectively prevent the seat case 32 from being lifted from the second case member 2 or from the bottom surface 11a of the gasket holding groove 11 at the bent portion C in the Z direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to mold the gasket 3 into a complicated bent shape in the three-dimensional direction corresponding to the gasket holding groove 11, and the gasket 3 can be provided at a low manufacturing cost.

  Further, the restraining action of the locked groove 33 and the locking protrusion 12 prevents the gasket 3 from falling down during mounting and the gasket 3 from falling down due to the water pressure from the outer periphery, which also provides excellent waterproofing. Sex is secured.

  In addition, it is not always necessary to provide the restraining portion formed by the locking protrusion 12 and the locked groove 33 on the entire circumference. For example, the gasket 3 is restricted only by the Z-direction bent portions B and C of the gasket holding groove 11. Anyway. As such an example, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention in a state before the gasket is mounted, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the gasket in a mounted state.

  That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking protrusion 12 formed on one side in the width direction of the gasket holding groove 11 and extending in parallel with the gasket holding groove 11 is provided with the gasket holding groove. 11, the height from the groove bottom surface 11a is relatively lower than the other portions (hereinafter referred to as the low portion 12a), and both ends thereof are stepped. It is part 12b, 12b. In addition, the low part 12a is corresponded to the "part with a low protrusion height" as described in Claim 3.

  On the other hand, in the gasket 3, the groove 33 to be locked by the hook-shaped ridge 34 is formed only at a position corresponding to the low portion 12 a of the locking ridge 12 described above. Further, the upper end portion 34 a of the hook-shaped ridge 34 protruding from one side surface of the gasket 3 is at a height substantially corresponding to the step portions 12 b and 12 b of the locking ridge 12.

  In addition, the other part is comprised similarly to the 1st form demonstrated previously.

  According to the waterproof structure of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the gasket 3 is attached to the gasket holding groove 11, the locked groove 33 formed in the gasket 3 is arranged on one side of the gasket holding groove 11. The gasket 3 is constrained to be accommodated in the gasket holding groove 11 by being fitted and locked so as to be pushed into the lower portion 12a of the locking protrusion 12 formed over the Z-direction bent portions B to C. .

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 in the original form, the gasket 3 extending only in the two-dimensional direction of XY follows the bent shape at the Z-direction bent portions B and C of the gasket holding groove 11 as shown in FIG. The bent shape of the deformed bent portions 3B and 3C is held by fitting the locking protrusion 12 and the locked groove 33 as shown in FIG. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the gasket 3 is prevented from returning due to the elastic restoring force of the forced deformation portion at the Z-direction bent portions B and C of the gasket holding groove 11, and the main seal portion 31 at the Z-direction bent portion B. 1 can be effectively prevented from floating from the second case member 2 shown in FIG. 1 or from the bottom surface 11a of the gasket holding groove 11 at the Z-direction bent portion C.

  Further, when the gasket 3 is mounted in the gasket holding groove 11, the gasket 3 is easily stretched or compressed partially with respect to the circumferential direction. In this case, the gasket 3 is likely to fall down. However, according to the second embodiment, the lower portion 12a of the locking protrusion 12 of the gasket holding groove 11 and the locked groove of the gasket 3 to be locked thereto. 33 are provided corresponding to each other in the circumferential direction at the positions of the Z-direction bent portions B to C, and the upper end portion 34a of the hook-shaped protrusion 34 forming the locked groove 33 is formed on the lower portion 12a. Since the step portions 12b and 12b at both ends are locked in the circumferential direction, the gasket 3 is mounted in the gasket holding groove 11 in a state of being aligned with respect to the circumferential direction. Therefore, instability of waterproofing due to partial expansion, compression, and falling of the gasket 3 is effectively prevented.

  The waterproof structure of the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, and can also be implemented as a waterproof means for other electronic devices such as a digital camera and a mobile terminal.

It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st form of the waterproof structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the 1st form of the waterproof structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention in the state before mounting | wearing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the 1st form of the waterproof structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention in a mounting state. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the 2nd form of the waterproof structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention in the state before mounting | wearing of a gasket. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the 2nd form of the waterproof structure of the electronic device which concerns on this invention in the mounting state of a gasket. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly arrangement | positioning of the gasket for waterproofing of a mobile telephone. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the waterproof structure by a prior art. It is a cross-sectional perspective view which shows the waterproof structure by a prior art in the state before mounting | wearing.

Explanation of symbols

1 First case member 11 Gasket holding groove 11a Bottom surface 12 Locking protrusion 12a Low part (part with low protrusion height)
12b Stepped portion 2 Second case member 3 Gasket 31 Main seal portion 32 Seated seal portion 33 Locked groove 34 Bone-shaped protrusions A to C Bending portion

Claims (3)

  A gasket holding groove is provided around one of the first case member and the second case member constituting the outer shell case of the electronic device, and the gasket made of a rubber-like elastic material is connected to the first case member and the second case member. In the waterproof structure formed in close contact with the other of the case members and the bottom surface of the gasket holding groove, a locking protrusion is formed in the gasket holding groove or its adjacent position, and the gasket is fitted into the locking protrusion. A waterproof structure for an electronic device, wherein a locked groove is formed to lock the gasket in close contact with the gasket holding groove.   2. The waterproof structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein restraint by the locking protrusion and the locked groove is performed only at a bent position in the circumferential direction of the gasket holding groove.   The locking protrusion is formed with a plurality of portions having a low protruding height in a circumferential direction, and a groove to be locked of the gasket is formed corresponding to the portion having a low protruding height. The waterproof structure of the electronic device according to 1.

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